First of all, I can't describe how much it pains me to be writing in this thread again, talking about restrictions we will be facing in the next academic year (I was optimistic about the upcoming year and I really thought this would be over by September, but new guidance from our university and a new report on BBC Scotland has highlighted what life will be like for students in universities for the next academic year studying in Scotland):
Teaching:
Our university has confirmed that they will be delivering term one fully online with no in-person teaching aside from 'exceptional circumstances where the provision of in-person delivery would significantly benefit the quality of education received'. They have confirmed that for term two they intend to move to '1m distanced' in person learning, with larger lectures taking place online. Term three is still to be confirmed, but we are informed this is 'based on the latest data and feedback from the Scottish Government', so it's clear that they intend to keep these restrictions over the winter.
Halls:
The 'bubbling' system of 1 household per cluster flat will remain. This means that if someone develops symptoms or tests positive, an entire flat/cluster will have to isolate for 10 days. This caused havoc last year and will definitely do so again this year.
Freshers events:
Most Scottish universities seem to be doing a mix of online and distanced in-person freshers events, emphasising that they want to ensure people feel 'safe and confident' about the return to university this year.
Masks will remain mandatory on campus and in halls (at least for my uni) until at least Christmas, as will checking in for track and trace when entering campus.
To say I'm disappointed is an understatement
Out of my 3 years of university, it seems about 6 months will have been in-person, and about 2 and a half years will have been 'blended'/online. If this is the future of university then I really don't like it.